Top boot vulcanizer, external type



Oct. 11, 1932. A. A. GLIDDEN ET AL,

TOP BOOT VULCANIZER, EXTERNAL TYPE Filed Nov. 6, 1928 x N um Patented Oct. 11, 1 932 unrrao STATES- PATENT OFFICE ALFRED A. GLIDDEN AND THOMAS M.- KNOWLANI), OF WATERTOWN, IIIASSACHUSETTS,

ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T HOOD RUBBER COMPANY, INC OF WIL- MINGTON, DELAWARE, CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TO]? BOOT VULOANIZER, EXTERNAL TYPE Application filed November6, 1928; Serial No. 317,560.

This invention relates to a vulcanizer for top boots of the type in which the top of the kboot is inserted within the vulcanizer mem- The object of the invention is to provide a convenient, simple and efiicient device whereby the top portion of a top boot, which is attached to theupper edge of the leg of a boot of rubber compound, may be locally; vulcanized thereto, that is, the upper edge of the leg of the boot and the lower edge of the boot top may be vulcanized together after the top portion and the upper edge of the leg of a molded rubber compound boot have been attached together as hereinafter described.

The invention consists of a vulcanizer for top boots such as hereinafter described in the specification and particularly pointed out in the claims. I 7

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section of our vulcanizer for top boots with a boot and its top positioned therein and also partly shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a detail section taken on line 22, Fig. 1. 8

Like numerals refer to like parts in the views of the drawing.

In the drawing, 5 is the base of the machine 30 to which is fastened a frame 6 and brackets 7 with a vulcanizer member8 fastened .to the zontal arm 32 of the bracket and into any brackets 7. The vulcanizer member is pro vided with an annular chamber 9 which is connected by a pipe 10 to a source of steam, under pressure, preferably approximately seventy pounds. 11 is an outlet pipe which leads to a suitable trap, not shown in the drawing.

The vulcanizing member 8 is provided with a tapered bore 12 and within the bore is located a presser member 13 consisting of a head 14 provided with an annular peripheral" recess 15in which is positioned an air bag 16 of elastic material. A pipe 17 enters the air bag 16 and is connected to a source of air under pressure, preferably approximately thirty pounds.

The head 14 of the presser member is fastened to a rod 18 slidably mounted in bearings 19 and 20 on the frame 6. The rod 18 is provided with a handle 21 by which the rod may be reciprocated in bearings 19 and 20 and the position of the presser member relatively to the vulcanizer member can thus be changed or adjusted, the'proper positions to which it is to be adjusted being indicated by an indicator 22 consisting of an index finger 23 fast to the frame 6 and graduations 24 provided on the rod 18. These graduations are numbered from 6 to 11 inclusive. an When the index finger 23 is in alignment with the graduation 6 they presser member will be located in the proper position within the vulcanizer member for a six-size boot, and so with the other graduations 7 8, 9, 10 c5 and 11. V

A. top boo-t 25 is illustrated in vulcanizing positionin Fig. 1 and consists of a foot portion 26, a leg portion 27 and a top portion 28. A heel 29 of the boot rests upon a bracket 30 consisting of a'vertical arm 31 and a horizontal arm. 32 and an angle iron 33 which is fast to the vertical portion 31 and contacts with the breast of the heel 29 when the boot is in position as shown. The bracket or boot support 30 may be adjusted longitudinally relatively to the vulcanizer member-8 by sliding the same under guides 34, 34: which are fastened to the base 5, and the bracket 30 may be locked in position by means of a pin 35 which projects through a hole 36 in the horiof the molded boot leg 27 cut off along a line A-A and it is then vskived or buffed down'to a feather edge around this cut. The top28 is likewise trimmed and skived around the smaller end thereof to a similar feather edge. The peripheries of the boot leg and of the top at these two points have previously been determined, so that the top will fit snugly on the boot leg. The two parts are attached together by cement and lapped, the top over the boot. The molded boot is now ready for the vulcanizer. j

The operation hereinbefore specifically described is as follows: With the vulcanizer member 8 at the proper temperature and the presser member 13 drawn back to the limit, or toward the right, Fig. 1, the .boot top 28 is inserted into the bore 12 of the vulcanizer through the smaller end thereof. at the left, Fig. 1. The heel 29 of the boot is placed upon the angle piece 33 of the bracket 30 and then the boot leg and the top are pushed into the vulcanizer member 8 until the hole 36 in the horizontal arm 32 of the bracket 30 is in alignment with one of the holes 6, 7, 8, 9,

or 11, corresponding to the size of the boot. The bracket is then locked in position by the pin 35 and the presser member 13, with its air bag 16, is then pushed inside the boot leg and top or toward the left, Fig. 1, until the index numeral, which indicates the size of the boot to be vulcanized, aligns with the index finger 23. The boot is now accurately positioned with relation to the vulcanizer member and the presser member so that the centerof the air bag is directly in the center of the splice and the boot is then far enough in and the boot is positioned correctly within the vulcanizer member 8 so that no undue stretching of the boot leg and top or expansion of the air bag will be necessitated. Air pressure is now turned on through the pipe 10, inflating the air bag 16 and pressing the boot leg and top outwardly against the hot vulcanizer surface or inner face of the bore. During the curing of the top and leg of the boot at that portion thereof where the two are spliced together, the top portion 28 extends out over the rod 18 and is loosely wrapped around the same to keep it from contacting with the hot vulcanizer surface, exceptjust at the splice. After a definite length of time sufficient to cure the splicing cement, the air pressure in the bag is released, the presser member 13 with its air bag 16 are withdrawn to the right, Fig. 1,

and the combined boot and top are moved out to the left. The vulcanizer is now ready for another curing operation, as hereinbefore described. 7

We claim:

1. A boot vulcanizer comprising a mold formed with a space for the reception of the leg of a boot in fitted relation thereto, means for supporting the boot in adjustable relation to the mold, an eXpansib'le core positionable within the leg of the boot to press the latter against the mold, and means for applying heat to the portion of the leg of the boot which is so pressed against the mold.

2. A boot vulcanizer comprising a mold formed with a space for the reception of the.

leg of a boot in fitted relation thereto, an

expansible core mounted for adjustment with relation to said mold and adapted to be positioned within the leg of a boot to press the latter against the mold, and means for applying heat to the portion of the leg of T the boot which is so pressed against the mold.

3. A top boot vulcanizer having, in combination, avulcanizer member provided with a bore extending therethrough, means to heat said vulcanizer member, a presser member within said bore and embodying therein a head, a rod fast to said head, a frame upon which said rod is slidably supported and a ring of elastic material with an annular chamber therein mounted on said head, and means to convey air under pressure to said chamberto distend said ring, whereby sheet material interposed between said ring and vulcanizer member may be pressed against the latter and vulcanized.

4. A top boot vulcanizer having, in combination, a vulcanizer member provided with a bore extending therethrough, means to heat said vulcanizer member, a presser member movable longitudinally within said bore, means to distend said presser member, a support for a boot, and a slidable support for said presser member, whereby a boot may be positioned relatively to said vulcanizer member with its top projecting between said vulcanizer and presser members, and a portion of said top pressed against said presser member and vulcanized.

5. A top boot vulcanizer having, in combination, a vulcanizer member provided with a bore extending theret'hrough, means to heat said vulcanizer member, a presser member movable longitudinally within said bore, means to distend said presser member, a support for a boot, a slidable support for said presser member, whereby a boot may be positioned relatively to said vulcanizer member with its top projecting between said vulcanizer and presser members and a por-v tion of said top pressed against said presser member and vulcanized, and means to indicate the position of said boot support and said presser member relatively to said vulcanizer, whereby a predetermined portion of said boot top may be pressedagainst said vulcanizer.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

ALFRED A. GLIDDEN. THOMAS M. KNOWLAND. 

